lucigret1 stone2 years ago

Hello Amber, it's nice to see you here

I'm sorry to see that you have had a tough time since Christmas. You are not alone, many of us are feeling just the way you do and some of us have gained weight as well. It's great that you have come back to us to find some support.

I don't think you joined in with a weigh in group last time so that would be a good place to start. You can find the link in Pinned Posts or Events, this will help you

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

It would be helpful if you joined in with the Daily Diary and shared your menu's so that we can see what you are eating.

As far as the emotional eating goes, I would suggest that if you are feeling lonely, phone a friend or strike up a conversation with somebody else in the house, it's very hard at the moment to meet up with friends and family, but you know eating won't stop the loneliness, so try not to give into food. We are very lucky to have a wealth of technology nowadays that enables us to stay in touch. Remember there is light at the end of the tunnel, by the end of this month, hopefully we will be able to get out again and even with some restrictions, things will improve.

If you are feeling anxious try and go out for a walk or do some form of exercise, this really will help and if your bored turn to a hobby, if you have one, if you don't, then maybe it would be good to find one, you could find a book to read, or get an adult colouring book, or prepare some meals for the freezer, paint your nails, have a mini spa at home, whatever takes your fancy.

If you have time on your hands you could always come and have a chat here

I hope that you will find something useful in the above to help you along

Amber_x03 in reply to lucigret2 years ago

Hi there! Thank you so so much for your response. 💜

I hear many of us are struggling and some have gained some weight back. I have joined the group you have sent via the link, this is the weigh in group I think. I hope this will help me with motivation and being part of a group who are all dedicated at working towards their own goals.

In regards to the emotional eating, you’re completely right! I’m not even sure why I go to food, because I feel incredibly guilty afterwards and I’m aware that it isn’t the answer. I will try to keep in touch with others and go out walking!

Thank you again very much!! I need to join groups in here - I’m a little unsure how to work it and where to start but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

Thanks,

Amber 🥰

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lucigret1 stone in reply to Amber_x032 years ago

Amber are you using the App or full website?

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Amber_x03 in reply to lucigret2 years ago

I’ve got the app 😉

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BridgeGirlAdministrator in reply to Amber_x032 years ago

You will struggle to get to some parts of the forum if you're using the app. Log on to the website, using your browser, then follow the link lucigret has given you and it should make sense

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Amber_x03 in reply to BridgeGirl2 years ago

Ahh Ronny I see. Thank you so much! That massively helps 💓

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lucigret1 stone in reply to Amber_x032 years ago

I'm hoping that you have discarded the App now Amber.Here is a link to the Pinned Posts,

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

If you scroll down through you will see all the Events and clubs that we have on offer. All you have to do is click on them and they will take you straight to the page.

You will see the Weigh In there, just click on it and it will take you to it. It doesn't close until 9pm tonight, so you still have time to introduce yourself there

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Hidden2 years ago

Hi Amber I'm sorry you've been struggling and feeling isolated. You've definitely been brave to make such an honest post!lucigret has given you lots of fab advise. I hope you keep logging in and feel more supported. Sending you a big virtual hug 🤗

Amber_x03 in reply to Hidden2 years ago

Hi Lilac, thank you so much for your message. I truly appreciate it! I’m very thankful for all of the advice and support I’ve gotten on here. Thanks again 🌸

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Silverstar442 years ago

Hi,You taken the first step thats the hardest, you can do it, I find that I have to find what helps when I have a snack attack like I got grapes in the fridge, I tell myself to have a glass of water and 100g grapes then wait 20 mins before I can have anything else, have a 40cal hot choc drink, go for a walk, play a game, it all helps me, its not easy but that snack attack if u have one undo all your good work so for me I don't think its worth it now. We all struggled over this lockdown you are not alone, stay focused plan what you having for the day and stick to it, have stuff in cupboard and fridge/freezer healthy choices for when u can't be bothered to cook and when u fancy cooking pick a healthy recipe and go for it. Good luck u can do it!

😀

Amber_x03 in reply to Silverstar442 years ago

Hiya, thanks so much for all of your tips and tricks. I completely agree with all that you’re saying. I think snacking has a massive part to me going over my calories!! Snacking calories just seem to add up. Thank you again so so much! I hope I can get in the right mindset & pull myself together!

Amber 😌

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Silverstar442 years ago

Hi, no probs 🙂 glad to help!

Lytham3 stone2 years ago

Hello it might help to join our weigh in? Here's the link for tomorrow's, hope to see you there! x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Amber_x03 in reply to Lytham2 years ago

Thanks so much for that!

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Paulssis2st 7lbs2 years ago

Welcome back. Like the majority, we have all found it a lot harder this lockdown and I know it is hard to keep focused on our journey with healthy eating but this site really helps. Evenings are the worse for me for snacking so I try to keep my hands busy with crocheting, knitting or cross stitch. Surprising how the time flies so find something you enjoy doing to pass time and definitely make this site your first point of call. I admit I do not contribute to the daily diary but enjoy looking at what others are having to eat and do try some of their ideas. I’ve always got fruit in the fridge and just plain water with sliced lemon to drink. And if able, when i feel the urge to eat something I really shouldn’t be, I get my coat on, put my Bluetooth ear plugs in and get walking, listening to my fav music. Just smiling at people or small conversations with strangers at a safe distance helps to make me realise that even with covid restrictions life does go on and will get better. I wish you the best of luck and you will find so much help on this site to keep you motivated. 👍

Nikon19722 years ago

Hey Amber, sorry to hear you've been struggling, you've come to the right place for support. You've been offered great advice by other members. One thing I would say, is find the thing that will make you feel like you're looking after yourself, comforting you, so you feel more emotionally fulfilled. The problem with emotional eating, as you have found out, is that it's a temporary relief followed by guilt, so it's making you feel bad. The immediate 'good feeling' of treating oneself to all sorts of food is however hard to resist, when that's the one thing that brings you comfort.

Back in the first lockdown, I broke my ankle in a skating accident, less than a week before lockdown started. It wasn't a straightforward break, I needed the cast replaced several times before the doctors decided to do emergency surgery, calling me at home to turn up to the hospital the next morning just before they shut down because of the pandemic. The whole thing was a bit unsettling and then I found myself immobilised for many weeks. My first reaction was to think about it all and raise my mental and emotional alarms : this was a perfect time for things to go wrong, to sit all day and eat and drink too much and let everything go out of control. So I decided that wouldn't happen, and I weighed the same in November as I did in March, though some of that had been due to loss of muscles from lack of usual exercise.

By then life had become more normal, I was busy again and my ankle had healed. To my horror, I then stopped being careful and I put on 10 pounds in 2 months, making me feel very disappointed and discouraged at the beginning of January. I decided to try again, but not to feel bad or guilty, and instead to show myself some love and care and treat myself like I'd treat my best friend. So with those constant pep talks to myself on my mind I got back on track.

Planning for the moments when temptations hit is key. Keeping busy can work well, as others have suggested, getting absorbed in a book (especially one you need both hands to hold), doing craft like knitting and crochet and so on, crosswords, any hobby that keeps the mind engaged and the hands busy so less temptation to fill a void with food. Games work well too, I can actually use a playstation now, and even play some games with the greater public, which can make you feel less lonely, so looking for games to play, on one's phone, or a game console, that can be played online with others, is good. Some people like a warm bath or shower. Writing a diary. Drawing. Learning a language. Anything that engages both mind and hands.

Finally, I find the key for me is to not go all or nothing. I keep some of my calorie allowances for evening time. While my partner will have some wine, on nights when I decide not to drink, I'll keep allowance for a decaff coffee (with sugar and creamer - this is all about cosy and comfort, not deprivation!!) and a couple of chocolate biscuits (I swear by digestive thins at the moment). I have them quite late so I can look forward to it as a treat earlier on, and I consume them slowly, to enjoy every moment. I often find that's enough and I don't crave more.

When things feel rougher, it can help to decide to wait just for some time. I once was tempted to get into a bottle of wine and crisps on an evening when that wasn't the plan, and I thought 'I'll wait one hour, and if I still want it badly, then ok', and one hour later I felt more in control just because I'd managed that little decision to wait, and the need felt less strong, so I had a glass of wine but didn't have the crisps. It can work in increments too, waiting one hour, then if still in doubt, wait another hour or 30 mins, then have something. If anything, it leaves a lot less time in that evening to indulge. Going to bed earlier with a book/game/movie also helps as temptations are less upstairs than near the kitchen.

Take time to find what works for you and makes you feel you support, love and value yourself, and feel you look after yourself every day, wether it's a non-food ritual or planned, reasonable food treats that you feel in control of. Picture your 18-year-old self in the near future, smiling and encouraging you all the way there, telling you that you can do it! These lockdowns aren't easy times, don't beat yourself up, these are opportunities to learn how to look after ourselves, and if mistakes happen along the way, never mind, onward and forward.

Wishing you all the best in reaching your goals

🙂